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Niagara Frontier Transportation Authority Teams Up With American Lung Association to Promote Fight for Air Climb in Buffalo

(February 3, 2014)—

The American Lung Association of the Northeast is pleased to partner with the Niagara Frontier Transportation Authority (NFTA) and its Metro division for the first time in promoting their 4th annual Fight For Air Climb at One Seneca Tower in downtown Buffalo. The event, which will take place on Saturday, March 8, raises money to support the Lung Association’s mission to save lives by improving lung health and preventing lung disease.

In an effort to help grow support for the event and promote clean, healthy air, NFTA Metro has traded 20 bus shelter ad placements for the Fight For Air Climb and placed interior bus cards on 300 of its buses, promoted the event on their website and sent alerts about the event to its 6,000 plus customers who’ve subscribed to NFTA Instant Updates. They have also formed a team that will be participating in the climb.

“NFTA Metro is proud to support the American Lung Association in its fourth annual Fight for Air Climb,” said Kimberley A. Minkel, Executive Director of the NFTA. “NFTA shares the Lung Association’s commitment to keeping our air clean and healthy. Every day we work to help reduce particulates in the air by providing the public with a transportation alternative that helps keep our air cleaner by keeping more cars off the road. One full bus takes 45 cars of the road, reducing traffic congestion and air pollution.”

NFTA prides itself on providing safe, affordable transportation throughout the Buffalo-Niagara region. The authority oversees the two airports, as well as the local rail, bus and harbor systems. Among the many green initiatives NFTA has implemented to ensure the long-term security of the environment includes the operation of many Metro hybrid buses - clean running buses that boast increased fuel economy. The authority has also installed solar panels on the roof of Metro Frontier’s bus garage to reduce power costs and greenhouse gas emissions.

This is the fourth year the Lung Association is hosting its Fight for Air Climb in Buffalo. Last year the event drew approximately 400 participants, including more than 35 who competed in a separate Firefighter Challenge. The Lung Association is expecting 500 plus climbers this year and hopes to raise $120,000.Participants race or walk up the building’s 38 flights (800 stairs) all to raise money to fight lung disease.

“Our Fight for Air Climb in Buffalo has continued to grow every single year and with NFTA’s support we’re confident it will grow even more” said Jeff Seyler, President & CEO of the American Lung Association of the Northeast. “We’re grateful to have NFTA as a partner in our Fight for Air this year. Their support is not only helping us increase exposure for our event but is helping to raise awareness about lung disease and about what each one of us can do to improve lung health here in Western New York.”

The Fight for Air Climb is generously sponsored by Roswell Park Cancer Institute, The Buffalo News, WGRZ-TV, Best Fitness, Erie County Fire Chief's Mutual Aid Organization, Fleet Feet Sports, One Seneca Tower, Niagara Frontier Transportation Authority, the Depew Fire Department and the New York Institute of Massage. The event is also made possible with the support of national Corporate Team partner, Kindred Healthcare.

Registration is $35 and all participants are expected to raise a minimum of $100. For more information, or to register for the Fight for Air Climb at One Seneca Tower, visit ClimbofYourLife.org.